Advocacy & Health Policy: Take AIM in 2017

In response to the rising US maternal mortality rate, the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) strives for every hospital in the US to have access to maternal safety measures. This national partnership of provider, public health hospital associations, patients, and advocacy organizations are aligned to develop evidence-based strategies in the form of maternal safety bundles to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.

Using the confidential AIM data center, AIM offers an analysis of bundle outcome and process measures to provide data-driven rapid cycle quality improvement information. Funding to ACOG from the federal Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) in 2014 has supported the development and expansion of this work. AIM currently has 11 states engaged and 17 other states preparing to join when additional funding is secured. Hospital networks, such as the National Perinatal Information Center, Premier and Trinity Health Care, have supported their hospitals’ engagement in AIM.

AIM at the District & Section Level

ACOG District IV leadership has funded an AIM Program Manager to help their states implement the AIM bundles. This staff assists the district’s states and other jurisdictions to develop multidisciplinary teams, establish data sources, and enroll in the AIM program. AIM provides multiple implementation and technical support resources in addition to safety bundles, at no cost. Hospitals, partners, and state teams engaged with AIM join online- and telephone-sharing communities and mentorship opportunities. The AIM leadership team is engaged in continuously updating and improving the reach and the scope of the program.